The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-09-30
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DISCUSSING THE COMING OF 81. II. A."
Half an hour passed, and the distant
clatter of the crazy stage coach was
heard coming round the bend in the
road at the entrance of the village.
The lamp was carried into the sitting
room, and Captain Flagg, with his wife
and Polly, who had just arrived, in
compliance with Miss Smiths express
invitation, were shown into the quaint,
old-time room, followed, moment or
two later, by the Masons-Miss Smith,
wearing her best alapaca, bringing up
| the rear.
There was brief period Of waiting,
in which every one spoke in sort OF
undertone, and presently steps were
heard on the piazza. whereat Miss
Smith neryously hurried out, to en-
counter the gaze of the tallest and
stiffest gentleman she had ever seen,
who had Just entered the door with
Tad.
"This is Mr.. J. II. Atherton-Nliss
Smith," said Tad, awkwardly.
Miss Smith courtesied, primly. The
tall gentleman inclined his head about
arr inch and half, after which cere-
IRONY he was ushered into the sitting
room, and formally presented to the
assembled company, whose presence
he evidently regarded with great sur
prise.
"Bein' lone woman" explained
Miss Smith, II thought best, for my
sake and Tad's here, to ask in these
frien's and neighbors of mine. SO S to
make sure that ev'ry thing IL DO done
straight and square"
Mr.. Anterior did not seem particu.
larly well pleased with the explanation,
but he silently bowed, and seated him.
self in Miss Smiths rocking chair.
Then. mounting pair of gold-bowed
eyeglasses across his Roman nose. he
glance over the top of them, and
cleared his throat in an impressive
manner.
'This-er-youth. whom dimly re.
member having seen once before,
said Mr.. Atherton, with dignified move
ment of his slender white hand toward
Tad, who stood near the old secretary
'.has, while on the way to Your house
informed me concerning the manner
, in which-a-my property came into
|, his possession, and l presume his-el
; l-veracity need not be called into
! question"
Miss Smith shifted audibly.
Hes as truthful , boy as 1 eve
saw" she said. concisely, and Captain
Flagg was heard to murmur that NJ
!, truthfuller one never chopped down
cherry tree with his little Ratchet.
That being the case" continued tn
speaker. who had ponderous way o
moving and speaking, 1--WE will procee'
, to the business in hand"
Drawing a notebook from his pocket
; Mr.. Anterior opened it, and begal
reading:
! Contents of sachel as follows: 1ten
first, white pasteboard box, containin!
o certain articles of jewelry. two wit
= One gold star pendant, containin;
, seventeen diamonds with large straw
colored stone in center; one pair sol
q itaire ear drops, 81 carats weigh
each; one diamond ring; one heav.
:. gold bracelet. Value of the whole
: six thousand five hundred and fifty dol
lars. These valuables," he observed
pausing a moment to note the effect G
his announcement, "ire family jewels
e now belonging to myself as sole SUI
g viving heir of the late Atherton family.
n "Item second" he continued, re
e ferring again to the notebook. ''famil
!. papers, rs follows: Power of attOrne
from my diseased brother, S. K. Athel
It ton; deed of Anterior homestead; wi
l. of late General Cleveland Atherton'-
IS That's enough" CURLY interrupte
e Miss Smith; '.you have the key to tn
d sachel with you. l s'pose."
II have, madam" was the reply.
5. "Then," returned Miss Smith, mO'
n ing toward the secretary drawer. an
s. proceeding to insert the key, IF tt
e things in the sachel correspon's to thel
= you've mentioned, why
Here Miss Smith stopped abrupt.
1t The drawer was unlocked. With fat
(" paler than ashes, she jerked it open!-
If it was empty!
.Robbersr' she gasped. dropping il
r. to the nearest chair. Thieves 81
d screamed. Historically, as they all 70.
d to their feet and came crOwding abo'
G, her. "Burglarsr' she shrieked. in
" still higher key, land it's all been dol
since six O'clOck-that sachel was
ut there then. for I see it with my Ow
" eyes! And now-it's gone-gone
d And Miss Smiths voice failed her;
she began to sob.
d. At this startling piece Of news N
IS Anterior looked incredulous, CAPITA
:. Flagg and his wife astounded, Pol
he amazed. Tad bcwildered, Mrs. Mas
surprised and Mr.. Mason overwhelme
to by Jove!" muttered the latter &c
We tleman, as sudden thought seemed
;" strike him; and, leaving the little gro'